King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Benjamin shall ravin [as] a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Binyamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey, in the evening still dividing the spoil."
Berean Standard Bible:
Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.”
American Standard Version:
Benjamin is a wolf that raveneth: In the morning he shall devour the prey, And at even he shall divide the spoil.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Benjamin{H1144} shall ravin{H2963} as a wolf{H2061}: in the morning{H1242} he shall devour{H398} the prey{H5706}, and at night{H6153} he shall divide{H2505} the spoil{H7998}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 35:18
- And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
Judges 20:25
- And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.
Genesis 46:21
- And the sons of Benjamin [were] Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
Ezekiel 22:27
- Her princes in the midst thereof [are] like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
Judges 20:21
- And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
Ezekiel 22:25
- [There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.
Matthew 7:15
- ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
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Commentary for Genesis 49:27
Genesis 49:27 is part of the larger narrative where Jacob, also known as Israel, is blessing his sons before his death. This verse specifically addresses Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph. The blessing is poetic and prophetic, using metaphorical language to describe the character and future of the tribe of Benjamin.
The verse compares Benjamin to a wolf, an animal known for its ferocity and hunting prowess. The imagery suggests that the tribe of Benjamin will be strong and fierce, capable of overcoming challenges and providing for itself. The mention of the wolf devouring prey in the morning and dividing the spoil at night could symbolize the tribe's success in both aggressive actions (such as warfare or hunting) and in sharing the wealth or benefits of those actions with others. This could imply a balance between fierce independence and a sense of communal responsibility or generosity.
Historically, the tribe of Benjamin was known for its military strength and played a significant role in the early history of Israel. In the context of the blessings given by Jacob, this verse speaks to the unique identity and role that the tribe of Benjamin would have among the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe's territory included Jerusalem, which later became the capital of the united kingdom of Israel, further emphasizing the tribe's importance in the nation's history.
In summary, Genesis 49:27 poetically encapsulates the tribe of Benjamin's character as strong and resourceful, with a capacity for both conquest and magnanimity. It reflects the broader theme of the blessings of Jacob, where each son's future and the future of their tribes are foreshadowed through vivid metaphors, setting the stage for the unfolding history of the Israelite people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1144
There are 156 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּנְיָמִין
Transliteration: Binyâmîyn
Pronunciation: bin-yaw-mene'
Description: from בֵּן and יָמִין; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Benjamin. - Strong's Number: H2963
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָרַף
Transliteration: ṭâraph
Pronunciation: taw-raf'
Description: a primitive root; to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels); catch, [idiom] without doubt, feed, ravin, rend in pieces, [idiom] surely, tear (in pieces). - Strong's Number: H2061
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זְאֵב
Transliteration: zᵉʼêb
Pronunciation: zeh-abe'
Description: from an unused root meaning to be yellow; a wolf; wolf. - Strong's Number: H1242
There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֹּקֶר
Transliteration: bôqer
Pronunciation: bo'-ker
Description: from בָּקַר; properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning; ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H5706
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַד
Transliteration: ʻad
Pronunciation: ad
Description: the same as עַד in the sense of the aim of an attack; booty; prey. - Strong's Number: H6153
There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶרֶב
Transliteration: ʻereb
Pronunciation: eh'-reb
Description: from עָרַב; dusk; [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night. - Strong's Number: H2505
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלַק
Transliteration: châlaq
Pronunciation: khaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate; deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er). - Strong's Number: H7998
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלָל
Transliteration: shâlâl
Pronunciation: shaw-lawl'
Description: from שָׁלַל; booty; prey, spoil.